It's 8PM, Do You Know Where Your Kids Are?

Yes... I can hear them happily playing outside in the dirt... trucks running... everyone, that is, except Peter, who ate his dinner at 4:30, tried to take a bath, and fell asleep before 5pm... he didn't have a nap today.

But back to the other kids.. we would normally have them all in bed... But since our schedule became so much more flexible with the home schooling, we've relaxed some on the bedtime.

I was watching them out the window last night remembering that after dinner into the early dark of night was always my favorite time to be outside growing up. It brought back so many memories.. and lots of smiles to my face. They seem to love it too, so it gives Bob and I both a chance to get a few things more done, or just extra time with them - especially Bob, now that he's back to teaching.

Of course, when they've not been outside at this hour, they've been cuddled up in Bob's lap while he's been reading "It's Raining Pigs and Noddles"! A great book for getting kids to love and enjoy poetry - Thanks Nielsen Grandparents for such a crazy and well loved book!

What Do You Do Before You Go To Bed?

Getting ready for bed, and waiting for me to finish picking over and packing the blackberries Daddy brought home, I over heard the girls and Jeremy talking about what they wanted to do.

Bethie's response was: "I'm doing my bedtime extra-cises."

As a side note, back when Amber was visiting with us Beth had an interesting question for us:
"How do you lick your tongue?"

I don't know. How do you?

The Chocolate Challenge - Gabi Did It!

Yesterday was a very special day... for Gabi... and for us as her parents! See, a challenge was given to the Primary kids (ages 3-11) to memorize the Articles of Faith (this started last summer). As a reward, they would receive a large chocolate bar.

Well, since Gabi already had 6 of them memorized, and since she loves a challenge, she decided it was time to learn the rest. She raced through 7-12 without much trouble and all in about a month. Then started in on 13... the last, the longest, and thus the hardest. It was the same time that school started up, and although she still wanted to master it, she had many "other" things on her mind and schedule. The process slowed way down.

This summer she decided it was time to get back on it. She worked on it all summer, and had most of it memorized... only getting stuck by leaving out one word. A couple of weeks ago, she finally got it! She was so excited.. but we forgot to call the Primary president before church, so Gabi made she I tell her at church. The next week (yesterday), she was presented, in front of the whole Primary, a one pound Hershey's Chocolate Bar!

Sweet girl that she is, she immediately started sharing it with friends and family! :) Way to go Gabi!

(Bethie has been working hard too... she knows the first 6... she wants to have a chocolate bar to share too... we'll let you know when she makes it to this exciting mark.)

Up And Running

Okay, our family's educational blog is started... there are many things that will be coming to keep you up to date with our learning adventures. But feel free to check it out, return as often as you like.

Fly Away Home - because, after all, the knowledge we gain here will ultimate help us to return to be with our Heavenly Family once again!

Bowls, Anyone?

Okay.. you know that my dear husband loves to make cabinets! Okay... loves to work with wood! It's a great blessing.. and sometimes way too time consuming... but he does enjoy it (most of the time). Well, out in California (I may have mentioned this already) he learned how to really use the lathe. For those of you who don't know, that's the tool which makes it really easy to make round things.

Anyway, he started by making three pieces... a bowl (out of redwood... so beautiful - you'll see two pictures of this one bowl), a pepper mill (from walnut), and a new rolling pin (from cherry). The rolling pin had been used by everyone except me... until I made an apple pie four days ago! I didn't have to do anything except help it move... no real pressure... it's the style... and oh, how I love it!

Anyway, since Bob's been cutting up the woodpile (fire woodpile), he found some spaulted maple wood. Too pretty to burn, so he decided to turn it instead. Thus far, he's made three little bowls. Three different styles. (And although the pictures make these three appear to be bigger than the redwood bowl, that is not the case.)

Well, I hope you enjoy seeing these pieces. My personal favorite (of the new three) is the first of the pictures you see (the most "normal shaped" bowl). I really love the grain of the wood! It's so beautiful - Don't you think?

Blueberry Picking

Well I can't recall the last time I went before this year! Yikes! It's been too long! But really, with Bob's schedule in the past, and me either pregnant or nursing or just little ones too small to hang onto without others to help watch... well, we just didn't get there! This year, though, on a whim (thanks to Leah's blog) I jumped at the chance and Bob was willing. So we packed everyone up last night and off we went... during the dinner hour (yes, I fed my kids a large snack before and had one waiting in the van for after).

I was amazed. Just under two hours in the blueberries and we came home with 30 pounds! What great pickers I have! It was amazing... and that doesn't count all the ones that Peter picked out of the bucket and threw on the ground, or the ones that kept spilling out of the kids' bucket when it was all but full! (Peter did help quite a bit, though, too)

Jeremy loved to bounce between buckets (Bob's, mine and the girls') and Peter was, of course, the first one done with everything since he's no longer napping. But it seemed that if he went to the other parent, he'd become content again and start picking more berries.

The girls had fun "hiding" from Jeremy as they ventured near us to find the bush with the "best berries" (ie... the most easily able to be picked by little hands).

All in all we had a great time and the kids are already talking about going again next year!

First Pie

Gabi has always enjoyed helping in the kitchen. So, since I had the unexpected pleasure of picking blackberries two days ago, I let her make a blackberry pie! She did almost all of it herself. I helped her read the recipe (since that's still a little confusing with all the "parts" and not just "wholes" to deal with) and I assisted in rolling out and forming the actual crust. But she put together the berries and mixings, and made the crust herself. The kids even cut little shapes from the left over pie crust dough and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar... I call them cinnamon-sugar scraps... whatever they are, they are yummy and only last as long as it takes to cool enough to get in the mouth!

The pie is wonderful! Gabi tried it, although she decided there were too many seeds for her. I wasn't too surprised, since all my kid will only eat seedless jams! :)

A Start and A Transition

We officially started home schooling yesterday! It's been exciting... and this week is really more of a get our barrings and make sure we know how to fit it all in week. But Gabi seems to really be enjoying herself... enough so that she even mentioned how much fun she had today in her prayer. I've enjoyed my kids coming into bed with me and wanting me to read to them! It's a much better way to enjoy the morning than racing for the kitchen to make sure we have a lunch, homework, shoes, jacket... and whatever else might be needed that day!

This morning, Gabi came in and we finished half a book before the other kids joined us. It was nice to have some alone time with her... that hasn't happened often.

I've also been transitioning Peter..... all my other kids were off naps at this point, so I should have put two and two together sooner... but it was during the "dad away at Zion's Camp" when I let me kids "camp out" downstairs that I learned why Peter was awake every night... typically happy (if he can find the bink) but just lays there, kicking whatever and tossing and turning until he falls asleep again! Oh well... this week is rocky.... transitions always are.. but I think it might go a little faster than the others!

On the up side, I've noticed Peter using his words much more often... when he's not over tired! And today I even got him to do a sentence in sign... "please, read more book"... as he was wanting me to read Dora's Opposites in English and Spanish (from Aunt Cheri several years ago) over and over and over again. I, of course, had to accommodate since he was actually communicating and not screaming! His favorite part, though, was at the end when he started pointing to all the characters and I'd tell him each name. When I'd get to Tico, he started laughing and laughing. It was great fun!

Anyway, look for our new blog... we'll be starting a second one just to keep track of home schooling things... fun adventures, and notes to help us remember everything. We haven't decided on a "school name" yet, so the site's not yet set up. I'll let you all know when we get it running!

A Little Taste of Perfection

This morning we made pancakes... of course, we had pancakes for lunch yesterday too.. but that's okay! This time, though, we were finally able to open our new jug of maple syrup! See, about two years ago, my step-father bought me a gallon of the best maple syrup in the whole world (VERMONT MAPLE SYRUP)! That's a special treat, since I don't live in Vermont any more. But we only just got to bring it home the last time I was visiting because I kept forgetting to put it in my van! Anyway, I made everyone wait, including myself, until the old jug of syrup (not Vermont) was finished up. So today, we got a little taste of perfection! Oh, how I've missed the perfect maple syrup! - And yes, folk, there is a very big difference... if you can't taste it, then you're surely missing out!

Adventures From The Chapel

Sunday mornings... well, unlike many, this one wasn't so bad. The kids were actually getting along. The blanket project "miraculously" came together, and Gabi was so great about helping the boys to get dressed, getting the kids breakfast, and getting our bags together! (All so I could get the blankets finished so we'd actually be able to deliver them)

She then picked several flowers that she wanted to take up to leave with Savannah. We had originally thought we'd do that before church, but since things worked out with the blankets, we visited after church instead. It was nice to visit her grave. The kids really enjoyed laying the flowers down, and then Gabi stood, by herself, and blew over 20 kisses right in a row. Paused (maybe she was talking, I don't know I was watching from behind) and then she waved. It was cute and touching.

Any way... the adventures were actually at church. See, we walked in, with our bags, everyone sat down nice and calm. The books were opened for reading. Everyone getting along. Everyone behaving and being nice. Peter discovered that he had people to entertain behind us, so he focused his attentions backward.. but he was still being quiet, so I didn't mind. (After all, Bob was gone on Stake business again, so whatever made my life a little easier through Sacrament was a okay)

Peter has learned to "jump"... mostly just up to the toes and bouncing down again. So, in his entertaining mode, he decided he would "jump" for the people behind him. Sure enough, his foot slipped... since he was only on the edge of the bench... and over backwards he tumbled just as the first Sacrament prayer was finished. He hit his head, so I knew I had to get him out before he started screaming.

As I picked him up, I noticed a little blood... so I grabbed him, and, while darting out or the chapel, told the guy behind me to watch the others and grabbed the father of a friend on my way out the door to help me find the first-aid kit! By the time we got across the hall and into the mother's lounge, there was blood all over the back of his head. So, we cleaned it up, put on the pressure and tried to get it stopped... Fortunately Peter wasn't willing to move much, so the bleeding settled down without much trouble.

So I took Peter back into the meeting... now Jeremy needs to go potty... so the boys and I head out. That done, we get back and now Jeremy is down-right bored... which, for anyone who knows, means nothing but trouble for everyone near by. Sure enough, he decided he'd bug Beth... feet on her, laying on her, pulling her book away, and so on. I tried sitting him up, talking to him, and finally we left for a time out. I decided he was doing better on the couch in the hallway.. it might have had something to do with the friend's dad being there... so I checked with the girls (who were being perfect) and stayed in the hall with them.

Well, the "good" wore off, and the next thing I know the boys are wrestling (and laughing) on the floor. Not long after, I noticed the wound was bleeding again. So I get that stopped, get through the last song and prayer and head off to deposit kids in the right rooms. - Jeremy and Gabi, no problem.... Bethie... she just wanted me... Peter wanted to be in nursery.. but his head started bleeding again.

So I sat, in the hallway, with Peter (who fell asleep) and then Bethie (who also fell asleep) while the Primary President decided it would be best to find someone else to cover music. I must admit was was grateful for that... with all that was swirling around me, I didn't have the energy left to be "entertaining".

On a side note, I'm not actually the primary music leader any more either. (As of last week) But with presentation coming up, I offered to help out until the new leader was called. Instead, I have been called to be the Den Master (for cub scouts)... and let me tell you, I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO REAL IDEA OF WHAT I'M DOING! It will be exciting to learn, but I know that right now I feel completely and totally lost. Part of that is probably because we've not had a cub scout program for at least as long as I've lived here.... so there's no one "easily identifiable" to consult. There are people I can talk to... so I'll be getting it together... slowly... and maybe faster than I think!

Ever Feel Like Running Away?

Oh, it's not the kids. It's not the house. It's not even life.... I don't think. It's that things have started to slow.... sort of.

I was in over-drive before California. I was sick most of California. We went mad with the carpet just after. Then I had my sister here for a good visit (although I'm sure she's happy to be home for many reasons... including not having to listen to a 19 month and 3 year old yell most of the time).

I've been trying to work on this project... first some of the fabric was left at the store... remedy, have friend grab it and bring it to church for me... then the printer died... and we got another one... and it didn't work well... though three days of fighting and I managed to get the transfers printed... then there was life that never slowed down... still, no big deal... I thought I'd start cutting pieces while my sister was here... discovered I'd left the rotatory cutter in her room.. in the desk... no not there... later to find in the closet....who knew... then get going... things are working out.... seems to be coming together (FINALLY)... can't find the sewing machine... not because it wasn't in it's home... because I forgot it had a new home.... found it... bobbin kept tangling (how is that possible with an auto tension?)... finally got that fixed (don't ask me how)... moving along...then I tried to finish the last part... with the shaggy material and the stitch I was trying to use, I managed to sew the presser foot to the fabric.. yup... I could take off the foot... then I could move it and the fabric away... totally attached... removed that... discovered I might be able to get a straight stitch in... that keeps bunching... I'll be handing sewing... that's a lot of hand sewing.... it will take me the better part of another week.... and there you have it for good intentions!

Anyway, in all of that, I've "slowed" enough to be able to think and feel again. Apparently that's not a good thing. However, I try to keep in mind a quote (that I'm sure I'll flub up and for which I can't seem to refind so I can't give you the author - I had read four or five articles all at the same time) which basically said:

Even Jesus wept when he learned that Lazarus had died, even though He knew He'd be raising Lazarus from the dead.

The point was that although Jesus knew the death was temporary, he still cried. He still mourned with those that mourned. He still felt and allowed himself to feel the sadness that comes from missing and knowing you will miss someone. To feel the heartache of both self and others. Crying is okay.

I guess that's where I'm at. I'm okay most of the time, and my circumstances and feelings surrounding Savannah's death are different and unique from everyone elses, but that's part of what makes it hurt so much. It's part of why I find myself with tears that I can't bite back.

But it's okay.. because, after all, the Lord provides things to make us laugh (as my mother and I did over the presser foot). I mean, really, can you just picture a presser foot completely sewed onto the edge of a blanket?

Waterfalls

Well... it would appear that we've done NOTHING over the last week... but then again, appearances can be deceiving... and they are!

The weekend was filled with odds and end stuff... going to Newport on a speaking assignment... and getting the computer completely backed up in preparation for an upgrade... a full system upgrade! That was a bit of a headache.. but we got through it!

Tuesday the kids and I went back to meet up with Jenna and bring Amber back here for a couple more days before she headed home. Since we met in a beautiful area, we decided to do a little site seeing as well... the weather was some what cooperative... and we had a nice little time! We had a picnic; then we saw the first of three waterfalls. It was at a place not so well known, called the Baby Flume. It was pretty... although it would have been prettier without the rain (which wasn't too bad), we enjoyed it.

Just down the road... not even a full minute... we stopped to see Cascade Stream with some waterfalls as well.. not sure why they didn't name the waterfalls! The kids were able to stop here and throw rocks. That, of course, was more fun and more exciting then seeing the waterfalls... which got a quick "WOW" and then right back to the throwing of rocks! :)

That's when Jenna and her kids headed back the other way and we headed back ours. We made another stop at Smalls Falls... which I didn't think was quite as pretty since the water was all murky-looking (even in the falls itself) because of all the rain... and the water levels were really high! The kids loved trying to climb the rocks on the way up and down... and learned that when rocks are wet, they are slippery!

Wednesday we didn't do too much... although we made sure to scan in all the pictures Amber drew of the Pixie Hollow Fairies.... just right to make our own little coloring book! The girls are so excited about that! And though the bulk of the day was spent inside... trying to get caught up from the weekend... late afternoon took everyone out on the deck for ice cream (or sorbet), and then out to the Wire Bridge. The water level there was crazy high (at least for that section) and someone before us had started a bit of a rock wall damn to slow the current for swimming. Much of the time there was spent building that up more and throwing rocks.

Thursday we took Amber back to the airport... stopping to catch a movie and make a return (our printer had died and so did the scanner in it, so we'd gotten two separate ones this time, but the printer didn't end up working right, and we ended up getting another all-in-one... it's a Canon... works great.. and I love it... for now, anyway... mostly I just love that I have access to a printer and scanner again!). Then, since we were so early, we stopped by the mall which ended in Ben and Jerry's (at the mall)! It was especially hard for Gabi to say good-bye to Aunt Amber... she even told me this morning that it would be easier on her if she could live in Maryland, California, or Vermont... where her relatives are!

Today we've embarked on another project... one that has taking too long to get the stuff together... loosing things... finding things... and on and on. We're about half way through... and I believe we'll finally finish it! I'm hoping to complete it tonight after the kids are in bed (probably wishful thinking) and then tomorrow morning we can finish cleaning and getting the rest of the stuff unpacked and organized from getting the carpet put in... that's probably expecting too much too... I'll settle for clean and tidy before Bob gets home from Zion's Camp.... oh, did I mention he left Wednesday morning for that?

Life becomes normal again next week... I'm not sure I'll be able to handle it... I don't even know what normal is any more! But I'm looking for to it none the less... Until then... I'll try to keep focused!

Farewell, Dear Angel

Yesterday was the final farewell to Dear Sweet Savannah's mortal body.

I cried. I laughed. I remembered. I loved more fully.

Dancing In The Rain

Wednesday night the girls had the wonderful opportunity to dance on the street along with the rest of their dance school. It's something the dance school has been doing for the past several years and Gabi had a blast with last year. Both girls had been looking forward to this all summer.

So the day arrived... and, as you may know from the earlier post, it was raining.... pouring. We went into town to get new glasses fitted for Amber and then called to make sure the drive would be worth it (as in, it wasn't raining so badly that they couldn't dance). And, sure enough, where we were going things we're looking more hopeful. So off we went.

It was still raining when we arrived. But not as badly as it was back home. The girls were chilly (especially Beth) so they had on their jackets. I was amazed that you couldn't tell that Beth was cold at all while she was dancing. She really does love it!

Anyway... thought you'd like to see a couple pictures of the girls "Dancing in the rain".... a fun time and neat experience.

A Little Adventure - In A Big Way

Wednesday morning we packed everyone up and head out to drop Amber and Bob off for a nice run down the river. It was calling for rain, but all the days leading up to it the rain held off until at least late afternoon, so we were hoping for the same. We got to the starting point, Bob and Amber gathered the canoe and their things and headed down the bank to get started. (I only have pictures from the beginning of the trip since I wasn't going to be "tagging along") All seemed well.

So I drove the kids and myself home thinking I'd sit down with them and read "Vidia and the Fairy Crown" since we'd not been able to touch it in several days due to late nights (we were reading a chapter a night of this series and had only just got through the first chapter of this book). Before I could sit and read with them, though, I needed to catch things up in the kitchen before I really got behind... we've done fairly well keep things tidy and cleaned up!

I was just thinking that I'd make some nice soup for everyone that evening, since it had started to pour outside... I figured my two adventurers would be in need of some warm and filling food. But I wasn't expecting them until at least mid-afternoon, so I knew I didn't need to start it right off. I had just finished up the kitchen and was working on a load of laundry when the phone rang.

I was screening our calls... we've had way too many that I can't answer the questions to, so I just let them go to voice mail for Bob to deal with later. So I almost didn't answer when I saw "Robinson Gen" show up. But for some strange reason (okay, I was prompted) I picked it up. And there, on the other end, was Bob. They wanted me to pick them up. Obviously they'd cut their trip short - due to the rain and all - right? So, yes, I gathered all my kiddos and off we went again.

When I arrived to pick them up, there they were.. two very drenched individuals... I almost said drowned rats, but really... They get in, I turn on the heater (yes, the heater in the summer... the kids weren't too thrilled but seemed to accept my response).

"So, hey. Where's the canoe?" I said.

"We left it in the river" came the response from Bob.

"With some friends" added Amber

"Left it in the river? You mean you banked it and we need to go get it?"

"No. We left it in the river to be washed down stream with all our stuff."

Now, with me somewhat puzzled, the story came out.

Everything was going well. The weather was fine. The water was fine. They were having a good time. It seemed like a wonderful adventure... especially for someone who had never "gone down a river before".

Then came the rain. Not that a little rain hurts much of anything. But the rain and the splashing of the water made it hard to see through glasses, so Amber took hers off and held them between her teeth. And still things were going well... they were wet... and getting wetter... but everything was under control.

One wrong move - or rather "steer" - and the next thing they know they're in the water! Splash! Unexpected, cold, wet....

A gasp... the glasses gone.

The lunch... gone.

Water bottles... gone.

One paddle... gone.

A life preserver... gone.

The canoe..... BROKEN!

BROKEN. BROKEN. BROKEN. Split in half!

Very wet, and with nothing else to do, they head to shore. Amber, having never had this marvelous experience of being dumped and then fighting the current to get back to dry land... or rather, wet land. So, with some vocal guidance... and a lot of prayer... she made it safely there... and so did Bob.

Dripping... being rained on... looking back at the mess they'd have to leave behind... they then plunged forward to figure out where they are. The rain is pouring... they're cold... they stop at the first house they see... no answer. Then the second.... no answer. A third.... no answer.

"Three strikes. We're out."

And finally they land at the store they called me from.

In amongst all the excitement, they were able to see a rainbow and a Bald Eagle.... In looking back, Amber laughs. It wasn't funny then.. but it was a great adventure....

Bob... well... he always laughs... so that's what he did. Humor is all in the way you look at things! :)

A Small Sample Of Rockland

Rockland has some special memories for many in our family. The last time we were there... okay, for a real visit... was with Grandma and Grandpa Nielsen. That was several years ago... when I was pregnant with Jeremy. But it also has special memories for my father and step-mother. So, with that in mind, I thought it might be fun to take Amber over there so she could see what her parents loved here in Maine.

With the weather reports calling for so much rain, we planned the trip for yesterday... the one day we were suppose to have a break from rain. Of course, we then had three days of beautiful weather (with some rain at night) p that night and we neededroceeding our day adventure. I forgot about the ferry that goes to the island from Rockland until we were just about there. Had I remembered sooner, we would have left really early so we could have gone over. As it was, the day was going to be just "sampling" since the girls had a dance practice to stop off for a Sam's run since we were going through.

We still had a relatively nice time though... aside from Jeremy getting hurt and then just screaming and screaming because everything wasn't right any more. And then when he calmed down, Peter started in - he was just done with being in the van. (I didn't have my "magic" DVD players with me because I have no idea were the cases and plugs are right now... so much for unpacking!)

We went to the lighthouse museum where we were able to see many miniature displays of lighthouses and ships. We also were able to see old ship wheels, old rescue rigs, the various different types of lights and bells. It was neat.. but I must admit we didn't really have time to "learn" much by reading the plaques... four little kids in tow... 6, 4, 3, and 18 months.... well, let's just say we enjoyed it but it was good not to push it too long.

After that, we headed out to the breakwater light. You can walk along the breakwater (a huge stone wall for "breaking" the waves so the other side is much calmer) all the way out to the lighthouse. The lighthouse itself is only open on the weekends, so although we walked out there, we didn't actually go into it. That's okay... that was when Jeremy got hurt.

See the breakwater is made up of these really large rocks. But there are "cracks" between them that you have to step over. They aren't too big, but large enough that a foot could slip in them at times. Well, as we got right to the lighthouse, Jeremy started watching everyone up on the balcony of the house. This is when he missed the "crack" and scraped up his leg. That hurt quite a bit. He, obviously, wanted to be carried back. But it was hard between the two boys. Amber helped for a while... but they are both rather heavy and it's a long walk to be carrying such big kids.

Prior to that, though, we all enjoyed seeing and hearing the waves.. watching the boats and ships around... and the kids all walked out there by themselves... Jeremy even walked back a good part of it with his sore leg. Peter loved walking and would get mad when I'd tell him it was time to "catch up" which meant I had to carry him for a while again. But on the way back, he wanted to be carried.

Anyway, we had a nice little "taste" and we'd all love to go back and see much more some day.

A Little Divine Help

I've been trying hard to work on and finish a very special project. It's been more of a challenge than I had ever thought. It seems that much of what could go wrong in this process, has gone wrong. But I know that the Lord has helped me out a lot. Things that have made the project seem hopeless at times, have worked themselves out - after much prayer. Though the project is not yet completed, the major obstacles have been removed. And I hope to be able to finish the project soon. I'm sure the aid the Lord has given me so far will only continue - because it is, after all, a very special project. One for comfort; one made from love. I am truly grateful to have His divine help.

Super Soccer Saturday

Amber enjoys soccer... so she fits right in around here. The other day she was out kicking the ball around with the girls, and then a little with myself. I don't really get the chance to be out there much. Yesterday, although it was suppose to be pouring, it started out just cloudy. So Bob hunted down his soccer ball, since the girls' and the boys' ones are youth size, and took everyone out (except for Peter who was way over tired) for Super Soccer Saturday.

I was behind on the counters and dishes... not too bad, but enough... so I started in on that. Then I decided I better grab the camera. It was certainly a time I want to be sure and remember. Everyone seemed to have a really good time. And after my little ones came inside, Amber spent some time working on some skills with Bob.

We're really enjoying our time with Amber, and enjoying finding many things in common!

In Loving Memory

In Loving Memory
of
Savannah B. Hurley

We will miss you. But we will see you again. This is for you.

By Heaven's Kiss
~Tara L. Nielsen

T’was Heaven’s kiss that brought you here
By Heaven’s kiss you’re gone
On angel’s wings you traveled
Your mission blazing strong

For when you first arrived here
A miracle was seen
A tiny little baby
A wished for, hoped for dream

A treasure and a blessing
A joy to all around
Your smile and your laughter
The most musical of sounds

So sweet and kind and patient
So tender, bright and true
So gentle, brave and strong
And so very loving too

I won’t forget your courage
As you fought this painful fight
And your faith and you’re example
Remain as beacons in this life

And then will come the day
When I’ll see you once again
And together we’ll embrace
As we unite as friend to friend

Then I’ll tell you once again
As the tears fall from my eyes
How I love you, my dear angel,
And we’ll have no more good-byes

A Great Mission

Never have I been more grateful for the gospel than I have been today. With the passing of Savannah in the middle of the night, I have felt a mix of peace, calm, and whirl-winding emotions. At times I have felt that I have no right to feel this way, as she was not my child. Still, the impact that she's had on my life leaves me in a bit of a roller coaster right now.

I have always, from the day I meet her as a baby, loved Savannah. She has been a light to so many. She loved life with such enthusiasm, taking every opportunity to do the things she enjoyed the most.

I am so grateful for the knowledge of the plan of salvation (also known as the plan of happiness). For it promises us that we can, through Christ's atoning sacrifice, not only return to be with our loving Heavenly Father and our dear brother Jesus Christ once again. But that our families can be united forever again.

The power of the priesthood, that magnificent power to act in God's name and under His direct authority, is so important. It is the means by which our families can be sealed (united for eternity) and allow us to be with our families forever.

I am also so glad to know that all who are sealed and return to be with our Father in Heaven are also connected through this great power and plan of our Heavenly Father. This means that friends can be united with friends, as families can be united with one another.

Though I grieve, for I am sad, I do so because I already miss Savannah. I miss her dearly. But I find great comfort and joy in knowing that she is no longer in pain. That she is with Jesus and Heavenly Father. That she is happy. And that she will be reunited with everyone. I am also grateful and happy to know that her body will be made perfect and that she will be resurrected again, just as our Lord was resurrected.

Until that time, the time of reuniting, I know that she has a great work to do on the other side. She is a missionary. And she will be a great one. I only hope that we can assist her in her work. That as she prepares the spirits of those who have not yet accepted or had the opportunity to even hear the gospel, that we will be able to complete their work in the temple. She has her mission, but she will need our help.